Great Neighborhood, Fantastic Schools, Sad Property Options?  Did you know that you can buy a home that needs some love and renovate it prior to moving in? Many of my clients find a great property but they don’t want to buy something that needs a lot of work.  That’s where renovation loans can solve the problem for small fixes like bathrooms and kitchens, all the way up to additions, or foundation repairs.  These are standard home financing programs that add a renovation option to complete the repairs before you move in. It’s easier than you may think!  If this sounds interesting to you, comment below and I’ll send you a fact sheet!
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Great Neighborhood, Fantastic Schools, Sad Property Options?  Did you know that you can buy a home that needs some love and renovate it prior to moving in? Many of my clients find a great property but they don’t want to buy something that needs a lot of work.  That’s where renovation loans can solve the problem for small fixes like bathrooms and kitchens, all the way up to additions, or foundation repairs.  These are standard home financing programs that add a renovation option to complete the repairs before you move in. It’s easier than you may think!  If this sounds interesting to you, comment below and I’ll send you a fact sheet!

ByBrandon Butler

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Condominiums are an affordable option for first-time buyers!  Condos not only are affordable, but they are also a great way to ease into homeownership without all of the responsibilities of a single-family home.  However, not all condominiums are created equal when it comes to financing.  To get the best financing it is important to know which condominiums are approved.  Before you start looking at property, let’s talk.  I’ll help you navigate the condominium financing issues.
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Condominiums are an affordable option for first-time buyers!  Condos not only are affordable, but they are also a great way to ease into homeownership without all of the responsibilities of a single-family home.  However, not all condominiums are created equal when it comes to financing.  To get the best financing it is important to know which condominiums are approved.  Before you start looking at property, let’s talk.  I’ll help you navigate the condominium financing issues.

ByBrandon Butler

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The Foundation of Your Home is Important!  Most people shop for homes and look at the kitchens, bedrooms, and layout. However, one of the most important choices is the type of foundation that holds up your home.  Foundation problems can be very costly, so you want to know before you buy! If you would like information on the types of home foundations and their pros/cons, please comment below and I’ll send you a great reference sheet.  Questions?  Just ask!
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The Foundation of Your Home is Important!  Most people shop for homes and look at the kitchens, bedrooms, and layout. However, one of the most important choices is the type of foundation that holds up your home.  Foundation problems can be very costly, so you want to know before you buy! If you would like information on the types of home foundations and their pros/cons, please comment below and I’ll send you a great reference sheet.  Questions?  Just ask!

ByBrandon Butler

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Can I Buy a Home After Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is not an easy thing to go through and many people believe the myth that they cannot own a home after bankruptcy.  My clients know that I will guide them through the process of owning after bankruptcy.  You do not have to rent forever, so let’s talk or comment below and I will send you my fact sheet called “Credit Issues – Am I Ready to Buy?”
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Can I Buy a Home After Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is not an easy thing to go through and many people believe the myth that they cannot own a home after bankruptcy.  My clients know that I will guide them through the process of owning after bankruptcy.  You do not have to rent forever, so let’s talk or comment below and I will send you my fact sheet called “Credit Issues – Am I Ready to Buy?”

ByBrandon Butler

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Bonus & Overtime Income – Homebuying Tip!  If you receive Bonus or Overtime Income and want to include that income to qualify for a home loan, home financing lenders will generally require that this income is received and averaged over a two-year period.  However, there are times when a shorter time frame can be used so let’s discuss your situation!
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Bonus & Overtime Income – Homebuying Tip!  If you receive Bonus or Overtime Income and want to include that income to qualify for a home loan, home financing lenders will generally require that this income is received and averaged over a two-year period.  However, there are times when a shorter time frame can be used so let’s discuss your situation!

ByBrandon Butler

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Buying a Home as a Displaced Homemaker! – An individual that is a displaced homemaker or single parent will be considered a First Time Homebuyer if he or she had no ownership interest in a principal residence, other than a joint ownership interest with a spouse, during the preceding three-year time period. This is great news for some of you that want to take advantage of first-time homebuyer programs.  Let’s talk and build your road map to homeownership!
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Buying a Home as a Displaced Homemaker! – An individual that is a displaced homemaker or single parent will be considered a First Time Homebuyer if he or she had no ownership interest in a principal residence, other than a joint ownership interest with a spouse, during the preceding three-year time period. This is great news for some of you that want to take advantage of first-time homebuyer programs.  Let’s talk and build your road map to homeownership!

ByBrandon Butler

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If you receive 1099 income vs. W2 Income, a home financing lender may consider your income as self-employed. In other circumstances, they may just average your 1099 income. How your income is calculated is based on the job circumstances, your tax returns, and loan program requirements. Everyone’s situation can be slightly different, so let’s talk before you decide to start exploring your home options.
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If you receive 1099 income vs. W2 Income, a home financing lender may consider your income as self-employed. In other circumstances, they may just average your 1099 income. How your income is calculated is based on the job circumstances, your tax returns, and loan program requirements. Everyone’s situation can be slightly different, so let’s talk before you decide to start exploring your home options.

ByBrandon Butler

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When calculating Self-Employed income to buy a new home, lenders will look at gross income, minus expenses and then add back in paper write-offs such as depreciation, depletion, amortization, casualty losses, net operating losses, or other one-time expenses. Then, we average that income over the time period dictated by the loan program. If you are self-employed, I’m here to answer your questions!
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When calculating Self-Employed income to buy a new home, lenders will look at gross income, minus expenses and then add back in paper write-offs such as depreciation, depletion, amortization, casualty losses, net operating losses, or other one-time expenses. Then, we average that income over the time period dictated by the loan program. If you are self-employed, I’m here to answer your questions!

ByBrandon Butler

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If you are worried about rising interest rates and buying a home, there are options available that offer a lower rate at the beginning of your mortgage. These lower rates are fixed for a period of time and after that, are capped as to how much they can adjust up or down.  These are called Adjustable Rate Mortgages [ARMS] and are a good fit for some home buyers.  To learn more about these programs, I have a fact sheet that reviews how they work.  Just comment below and I’ll send it to you!
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If you are worried about rising interest rates and buying a home, there are options available that offer a lower rate at the beginning of your mortgage. These lower rates are fixed for a period of time and after that, are capped as to how much they can adjust up or down.  These are called Adjustable Rate Mortgages [ARMS] and are a good fit for some home buyers.  To learn more about these programs, I have a fact sheet that reviews how they work.  Just comment below and I’ll send it to you!

ByBrandon Butler

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Great News Graduates!  All of the wonderful cash gifts can now be used to buy a home!  Recent guidelines have changed to allow cash graduation gifts as assets to purchase your new home.  If you have questions about qualifying for a new home, I’m happy to answer them!

Great News Graduates!  All of the wonderful cash gifts can now be used to buy a home!  Recent guidelines have changed to allow cash graduation gifts as assets to purchase your new home.  If you have questions about qualifying for a new home, I’m happy to answer them!

ByBrandon Butler

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Did you know that a family or even non-family member can provide a gift to help you purchase a home?  Guidelines have recently changed to allow for unrelated people who want to assist you in owning your own home. This includes former spouses, former family members, and others.  If you want to own a home, let’s talk about your situation!
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Did you know that a family or even non-family member can provide a gift to help you purchase a home?  Guidelines have recently changed to allow for unrelated people who want to assist you in owning your own home. This includes former spouses, former family members, and others.  If you want to own a home, let’s talk about your situation!

ByBrandon Butler

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No Cash to Buy a Home? Tired of the Renter’s Cycle and Paying Another Person’s Mortgage?  There are down payment and closing costs assistance programs available that can help you own a home.  I’ve used these programs successfully for many people who never thought they could buy a home.  If you are tired of renting and want to explore owning a home of your own, let’s talk!
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No Cash to Buy a Home? Tired of the Renter’s Cycle and Paying Another Person’s Mortgage?  There are down payment and closing costs assistance programs available that can help you own a home.  I’ve used these programs successfully for many people who never thought they could buy a home.  If you are tired of renting and want to explore owning a home of your own, let’s talk!

ByBrandon Butler

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Did you know that if your home appraisal comes in higher than your sales price on a USDA loan, you can finance all or part of your closing costs?  USDA is 100% financing and with property values going up, a higher appraised value may help you with closing costs as well. USDA loans are offered in many rural or suburban rural communities, so let’s talk!
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Did you know that if your home appraisal comes in higher than your sales price on a USDA loan, you can finance all or part of your closing costs?  USDA is 100% financing and with property values going up, a higher appraised value may help you with closing costs as well. USDA loans are offered in many rural or suburban rural communities, so let’s talk!

ByBrandon Butler

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Sales Contract Tip!  When you are buying a home, keep personal property out of the contract. Personal property is not appliances, fixtures, or smaller maintenance equipment for the home. However, cars, furniture, TVs, and Art, just to name a few, are considered personal property. The reason is that home financing restrictions consider personal property to be a concession from an interested party [the seller] and may be viewed as something of value that could affect the appraisal of your home.  If you’re not sure, just message me before you present a contract and I’ll help you figure it out!
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Sales Contract Tip!  When you are buying a home, keep personal property out of the contract. Personal property is not appliances, fixtures, or smaller maintenance equipment for the home. However, cars, furniture, TVs, and Art, just to name a few, are considered personal property. The reason is that home financing restrictions consider personal property to be a concession from an interested party [the seller] and may be viewed as something of value that could affect the appraisal of your home.  If you’re not sure, just message me before you present a contract and I’ll help you figure it out!

ByBrandon Butler

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HFA Advantage® is a first-time homebuyer program that provides financing for manufactured housing.  It is a great program to help you buy your first home with a minimal investment. If you haven’t explored manufactured housing lately, you may be surprised about the look and quality.  If you are stuck in the rental cycle, let’s talk about affordable home options for you!
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HFA Advantage® is a first-time homebuyer program that provides financing for manufactured housing.  It is a great program to help you buy your first home with a minimal investment. If you haven’t explored manufactured housing lately, you may be surprised about the look and quality.  If you are stuck in the rental cycle, let’s talk about affordable home options for you!

ByBrandon Butler

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